What is the elephant?
There’s an elephant on our plates, but nobody wants to talk about it. Of course, we don’t really eat elephants. However, there are many issues related to our food choices that we don’t talk about often. Discussing these topics can be uncomfortable. Many people don’t know a lot about these issues. Others may be aware about the problems related to our diets, but continue to eat the same way, as challenging and changing our behaviours and beliefs can be difficult. In this blog, I will provide information on the effects of our diet on animals, the environment and humanity. I will also talk about the common fears and challenges related to eating a more plant forward diet. Additionally, I will include practical tips for people who want to reduce their consumption of animal products. Whether you eat like a carnivore, a vegan or somewhere in between, I hope we can discuss this important topic together. If we want to make informed food choices, we need to start talking about the elephant on our plates.
What information will you provide?
There is a lot of misinformation out there. Both people who eat animal products and vegans alike, accidentally or intentionally spread false information. I have also unintentionally believed and spread misinformation, due to incomplete knowledge. That’s why I will strive to provide evidence-based information. When I say evidence-based information, I mean that I will primarily cite sources such as scientific articles or industry standards. Since these sources can still be used to create misleading narratives, I will examine the overall evidence rather than focusing on a few studies. Different types of studies provide different levels of evidence and lead to different levels of confidence in their conclusions. So if we look at all the evidence like pieces of a puzzle, we can see a more accurate picture of reality. I will strive not to make absolute claims and instead provide more nuanced content. Of course, there is always a subjective element to every claim. Even if we are provided with objective facts, subjective opinions can arise as we reflect on and interpret the facts. However, if we are aware of this subjectivity, we can try to take a more objective approach.
I am not going to tell you that you have to be vegan. However, I will explain why people choose to do so, and then you can decide for yourself. It is always best to be fully informed about a topic before jumping to conclusions or dismissing it.
Summary of today’s evidence
In this section, I will summarise our current knowledge regarding vegan diets:
- Will eating a vegan diet stop animal exploitation and death? No, but it will reduce it.
- Will eating a vegan diet solve climate change? No, but reducing our animal product consumption is an important part of the solution. It will also reduce other effects on the environment, such as deforestation, land use, biodiversity loss, and pollution caused by animal agriculture. Eating less products from ruminant animals, such as cows and sheep, is particularly effective for reducing environmental impacts.
- Will eating a vegan diet will end world hunger? No, but it can improve food security in certain contexts, and allows for the production of more food on less land.
- Does eating a vegan diet guarantee a disease-free and long life? No, but it can reduce the risk of several common chronic diseases, especially if whole plant foods form the basis of the diet.
- Is eating a vegan diet the only way to maintain good health? No, but it can be healthy if the diet is well-planned. A well-planned vegan diet must include vitamin B12 supplementation and may require iron, calcium, iodine, zinc, vitamin D, omega 3, or selenium supplementation, depending on the person and the foods consumed. Many plant forward diets can be healthy, even with the inclusion of some animal products. A plant forward diet can be low carb, low fat, vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, Mediterranean or anywhere in between. The most important factor is that the majority of the calories come from a variety of whole plant foods. The best reasons for not including any animal foods at all, is to reduce the exploitation of animals and to minimise the impact of our diet on the planet.
- Will eating a vegan diet eliminate zoonotic infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance? No, but it can reduce the frequency and intensity of these issues.
Overall, veganism is not perfect and will not solve all of the world’s problems. However, consuming fewer animal products is an important part of the path to a better world. If you aren’t ready to eat a fully vegan diet, or cannot due to personal circumstances, consuming fewer animal products can still have a positive impact on animal welfare, the environment, and public health. In this blog I will explain these positions in more detail, with full citations.
Medical disclaimer
The information provided by The Elephant On Our Plates, including text, graphics, images, and other material, is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information and opinions expressed in this blog are based on the author’s research and understanding of nutrition science up to the date of publication. However, medical knowledge is constantly evolving, and new research may impact the accuracy or relevance of the information provided. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding diet, lifestyle, or a medical condition.